Richard, choice of mouse type is all down to personal preference. A few years ago I bought a completly new system from a local supplier and friend. Unfortunately, he supplied a trackerball instead if the intellimouse I had specified. He apologised and arranged for a new mouse within the day. In the meantime, I fired up the machine using the ball, and within minutes was completely sold on it.
I use optical and wired mice at work, and whilst I find the optical is preferable to the wired, I am about to buy a ball for my machine in the office. Anyone know if there is such a thing as an optical ball?